Oregon bill would assist domestic violence survivors, homeless with their pets
What the bill does
Senate Bill 496 would approve $6 million toward the Emergency Housing Account grant program to create a pet assistance and support program for unhoused individuals and domestic violence survivors, allowing homeless and domestic violence shelters to use the funding for pet-related services including food, shelter, supplies and vet care.
It would not require shelters to offer the program.
The backstory
The Emergency Housing Account, administered by the Housing and Community Services Department, can currently be used to assist those at risk of or experiencing homelessness with emergency shelter, transitional housing, in-home support or emergency rent, utilities, or home payments but it does not allow the funding to cover pet-related expenses.
According to a report submitted by the Humane Society of the United States in support of the bill, a 2019 Oregon Statewide Shelter Study determined the inability to shelter with a pet or service animal ranked among the top 10 barriers to shelter. In the write-in responses, the inability to shelter with a pet ranked number 4 in barriers.
Housing-related issues are reported consistently among the top reasons for pet relinquishment, said Jessica Simpson, Senior Public Policy Specialist for the Humane Society of the United States during a public legislative hearing on the bill.
"Too many people are faced with the devastating decision to either surrender their pet or have access to essential resources," Simpson said.
According to Simpson, a similar program in California has been in place for two years and in its first year served 107 people and 113 pets.
"According to the National Coalition Against Domestic violence, 71% of women in domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, injured or killed a pet," said Melissa Erlbaum with Clackamas Women Services during the hearing. Erlbaum also cited the ASPCA, which reported that as many as 25% of survivors will return to an abuser using their pet as a means to get them back.
Erlbaum said community-based programs like their own have started to open their shelter doors to pets.
"But this life-saving accessibility creates a new cost for programs that need a reliable resource to continue this work," she added.
Who's behind it
Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, introduced the bill. During testimony in support of the bill, Patterson said it would be an opportunity to dismantle one barrier for people seeking shelter while the state continues to address a homeless population that is "at a crisis level."
Patterson also said it would also help domestic violence survivors hesitant to seek shelter knowing they would have to leave a pet with someone who is cruel.
"By making accommodations for pets, we can bring in more individuals to shelters who would otherwise not receive services and shelters," Patterson said.
Where it is in the legislative process:
The first public hearing for the bill was held Jan. 25. It is not yet scheduled for a vote before the full Senate.
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com, 503-936-4811 or on Twitter @DianneLugo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon bill would help domestic violence survivors with pets
